Active Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Draft your own garment patterns at home
Make your own patterns easily! Drafting a pattern isn't difficult. This tutorial shows you a few fun methods of pattern drafting. Take an article of clothing whose shape you like, and use that as the model for your new pattern.
How To: Make a Voodoo Pincushion Doll for Valentine's Day Angst
Searching for a Valentine's Day gift? Great. That means you have someone to share V-Day with this coming Monday. And you want to get the best gift to show your love. But c'mon—no matter what you get, it's probably enough to woo your lover over, even if it's as simple as a battery and magnet.
How To: Thread a Singer Finishing Touch serger sewing machine with differential feed
Sewing with a serger sewing machine can be quite difficult, if you're lucky enough to own one. Even threading the beastly sewing machine can be pretty tricky. But this two-part video tutorial should help you to properly thread one. This covers the threading of a Singer Differential-Feed Finishing Touch serger sewing machine (14SH654), which has 4/3 thread capability. Singer also has a PDF available with detailed threading instructions.
How To: Tie the decorative Panel Knot
The Panel Knot can be used for a number of different occasions. These knots are a great decoration piece and can be done with different styles and colors of rope to get a splash of life in your home. These knots can also be used as an accessory to any outfit. All you need is a piece of sturdy rope, your hand, and about 3 minutes to learn this great trade. This can also be a great activity for your family to enjoy making together.
How To: Make a key fob from scratch
If you need to add some decoration to your keys, a key fob is the way to go. Key fobs are decorative items that many people carry with their keys. There are many different ways to go when creating a key fob, but one of the best ways is to make your own using fabric from the store.
How To: Fix and clean the bobbin case area on your own sewing machine
Sewing is an expensive enough hobby without having to factor in repair costs, as well. You can save money (and have more cash to spend on fabric and notions!) by fixing your own machine at home. This video shows you how to clean and fix the bobbin case area, which can often get cluttered with lint and fuzz.
How To: Set up the Omni Stitch machine
This video provides you with information on how to set up the Omni Stitch machine.
How To: Sew a lined and zippered change purse or pouch
Start with two rectangles of fabric, both the same size. You will also need a short zipper and a few basic sewing supplies (pins and a sewing machine). Then just follow along with this video to make your own zippered change purse!
How To: Sew your own cute circle skirt without a pattern
You don't need a pattern to make cute clothes! All you need for this tutorial is to take your measurements and then turn that into your own free pattern! Then get a length of fabric, cut, sew and you have a new circle skirt!
How To: Make Recycled Deconstructed Roses
In this article, you'll learn how to create deconstructed roses in less than five minutes with your leftover fabric scraps. It's a great way to recycle your leftover fabric! Follow the instructions below and watch the videos for a demonstration.
How To: Make a Tailored Coat for Your Pet
As the cooler weather starts rolling in your pet will need more than just his natural coat to keep the shivers away. Take him out in style by designing a simple yet elegant tailored coat that will fit him perfectly. Here is an easy lined tailored coat with a nice thick comfort strap to keep him snug. Watch this video and follow the accompanying written instructions.
How To: Create a cheap "Alice in Wonderland" costume
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Sew a straight stitch
The video shows us how to sew a straight stitch which is really simple. The needle which is already being threaded and knotted on the other side is made to weave in and out in a straight line. It is done as straight as possible and though the video doesn't show it being done perfectly but its just a demonstration on how the straight stitch works. It is just made to weave in and out along a straight line and is made to end up with the needle on the back side and make a knot. This way you get t...
How To: Use the Omni Stitch machine
This video shows you some of the things you can do with an Omni Stitch machine.We also show you how to attach the feeder.
How To: Thread a Brother sewing machine
Thread cassettes on a sewing machine allow you to advance prepare desired threads. This how-to video provides a video guide for using a Brother sewing machine, how to read indicator lights, and how to set the machine up for sewing. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to thread the cassette on a Brother sewing machine.
How To: Tie Pendant knots
In this tutorial from the TyingItAllTogether Channel, you can learn how to make double and quadruple looped pendent knots. These knots are commonly found in Celtic designs. Once you learn how to create these knots, you can use them in arts and crafts projects for necklaces or bracelets. To begin, the double looped knot is done by taking a piece of rope and folding it in half, allowing the two sides to be next to each other. With one side of the rope, loop it around the other side of the rope,...
How To: Sew basket liners without a pattern
Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.
How To: Tie a basic square or granny knot in macrame projects
The granny knot, or square not, is one of the most basic knots used in macrame. This easy to follow tutorial shows you how to tie this knot using two separate strands of macrame, and even different colors for your next project.
How To: Make a Macrame Belt
This is a trouser belt, but can also be applied as a bag strap, maybe used as a camera strap, etc. To make a macrame belt, measure the cords to your desired length. Tie using square knots.
How To: Draft a Pattern for Baby Shoes
Here is a simple way of how to draft and create your own pattern for mary jane baby shoes. It is simple and can be done in under 30 minutes. The Stitching Scientist: How to create your own pattern for baby shoes
How To: Sew a crazy quilt Christmas stocking
This is a great project if you want to make something one-of-a-kind! It's a great gift idea as well. The principles behind assembling the "crazy quilt" fabric is that it can be used to make anything. This how to video tutorial demonstrates how to make a Christmas stocking, but you can easily continue adding onto the quilted fabric to make something larger like a bed quilt, tote, pillows, clothing, almost anything. Watch and start sewing.
How To: Sew a professional quality flat felled seam without frustration
The flat felled seam is a versatile seam, especially good for making a reversible shirt. This tutorial shows you two separate techniques - the first is one commonly used by home sewers, and the second is the one used by professional tailors.
How To: Make a trendy embroidered t-shirt with Whitney Sews
Back in the olden days, whenever we desired a nicely embroidered hankerchief or gown we'd sit by the fire with a flickering oil lamp, whittling our fingers away until the breaking hours of dawn. But nowadays, thanks to the genius of sewing machines, embroidery, even the most intricate kinds, takes far less time and midnight oil.
How To: Hem a pair of suit pants
Hemming a pair of dress pants is no longer a mystery. Karen Schmidt demonstrates step-by-step what is needed to get professional looking results. Measure the length that you would like to trim and pin the new hemline in place. Use an iron to mark the new pant length with a crease. Then unfold and rip the seam out of the original hemline. Cut away excess fabric sew a protective zigzag seam along the trimmed fabric. Refold the new creased hemline. With a matching thread, sew a single line to ho...
How To: Tie a paracord river bar bracelet
Learn how to make a River Bar bracelet, which is also known as a Paracord bracelet, by following the steps outlined in this video tutorial. To start your bracelet, you will need to tie a reef knot. This is done by taking two loops (in two different color strings) and then placing one loop within the other, pulling this through the first loop to secure the two loops together. This knot creates the end of your bracelet. To actually make the River Bar design, bend the two colors of string so tha...
How To: Make your own fabric appliques or patches
Applique is fabric cut in a fun shape that is applied like a patch, directly onto the fabric. This tutorial shows you how you can use fun woven print fabrics and fusible interfacing to create your own appliques and patches for your projects.
How To: Make a stuffed horse toy with fake fur
This tutorial shows you how to sew together a plushie toy horse, complete with mane and tail. You'll need to use some fake fur and fleece to create this, and this tutorial shows you precisely how you can work with fake fur to get the effect you want.
How To: Sew an empire waist summer dress
Empire waists go all the way back to Napoleon and the Regency period, when women thought it becoming to wear classically inspired, almost Grecian goddess-like gowns. They'd pin their curly locks up into coy yet alluring buns to complete the look.
How To: Tie the Basket Weave decorative knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie the Basket Weave decorative knot. First, hook your string to a hook, then tie a loop that is wide. After this, bring the strings to the top and make a heart shape. Now, twist the two loops on the side and twist them around each other. Now, bring the right string through the right loop and up through the left. Do this for the left string except using the opposite loops. When you are finished, pull on this tightly and release the string from the hook. Make ...
How To: Make a Bed for Your Pet Out of an Old Blanket
Hello! Today I would like to write a few lines about making a simple bed for your pet, for example, your cat or a bunny, using your old fabric. All interested can stir up a bit in the closet. I am sure there's an old towel or a blanket just waiting to be reused. Or some old clothes, made out of fleece, etc...
How To: Sew a perfect jet pocket on a jacket or dress
A welted pocket (also called a jetted pocket or piped pocket) is a pocket where it appears just to be a thin slit in the fabric of the garment. Ideal for when you are making something you want to have pockets, but don't want to necessarily draw much attention to them - such as tailored suit jackets or streamlined dresses. All you need to learn this technique are some basic sewing notions (scissors, pins, etc) and either bias tape or the ability to cut your own bias tape from your fashion fabric.
How To: Upcycle plastic bags into reusable sandwich bags and tote bags
Despite the fact that many stores are offering incentives for toting around reusuable bags for your merchandise, many people still cling to their plastic shopping bags. They're convenient, after all, and you don't have to worry about lugging around several reusuable bags to every store you go to. But don't just throw them away after use!
How To: Make a vintage style fascinator hat with a veil
For those of you not familiar with fascinator hats, they are vintage-style caps with feathers, small veils, and other little knick knacks attached on the sides that were often worn by fashionable women in the '40s and '50s.
How To: Tie a decorative Diamond knot
"How to Tie a Decorative Diamond Knot: Tying It All Together" explains how to tie a decorative diamond knot. The diamond knot is a decorative cylindrical knot, which is also known as the lanyard knot and the knife lanyard knot. Make a loop with one end of the string, and fold the other end parallel in the center of the loop. Feed the end of the right string over the left string and pull down. Fold the right string over and feed through the left side of the loop. Pull a second loop behind the ...
How To: Make twisted fabric flowers
One of the easiest flowers to make are twisted fabric flowers. These flowers can be made cheaply by using scrap fabric you already have around your home, and are sure to impress anyone you give them to. The flowers can be used as accessories or decorations, or even as embellishments on greeting cards and in scrapbooks. So, gather up some of that colorful unused fabric and start twisting!
How To: Sew a French seam with a sewing machine
Sewing becomes more interesting when you know different seams. This instructional sewing how to video demonstrates how to sew a French seam. Watch and learn how easy it is to join two pieces of fabric together with a French seam.
How To: Sew a box pleated skirt for a flared Lolita style skirt
Depending on the fabric you choose, this could be part of your Lolita costume or a professional skirt. Sew a skirt with one inch box pleats, without needing a pattern. Get your fabric, measurements and some basic sewing supplies together, and you're ready to go!
How To: Make needle-felted flowers
Fans of felting will love these funky accessories, needle-felted flowers, made out of vibrant shades of pure wool. Corinne Bradd shows how to use cookie-cutters for modern shapes, ideal for stitching on a handbag or fastening to the front of a special greeting. You can spice up many things with these needle-felted flowers.
How To: Master the art of applique embroidery
With applique embroidery, your favorite fabric fills in the majority of the design. That means your sewout has fewer stitches, and you have an excuse to add to your fabric stash. This applique instructional video will take you through all the necessary steps. Master the art of applique embroidery.
How To: Sew a flirty, fluttery tank top without a pattern
This is a great project to make a fun and feminine shirt. All you need is one piece of fabric cut in a circle, a few basic notions and a sewing machine. No pattern required, just make sure you have your measurements at hand!